Tuesday, November 24, 2009

PHOTO: Last night in University Heights, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. handed out turkeys with District Leader Hector Ramirez.

District Leader Hector Ramirez is actively drumming up support for a 2010 run against 86th District Assemblyman Nelson Castro, the Norwood News has learned.

Though Ramirez has yet to make an official announcment, two sources close to Ramirez who requested anonymity, said that Ramirez was working to position himself for a run at Castro's seat, which he will have to defend come next election season.

The sources also said that if Ramirez does run, he will enjoy the backing of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., who was influential in Fernando Cabrera's upset primary victory over incumbent Council member Maria Baez in September.

Last night, Ramirez looked the part of campaigning candidate (see above picture) as he handed out Thanksgiving turkeys to local residents with Diaz in University Heights.

Diaz spokesperson John DeSio would only say that the borough president has handed out a lot of turkeys (some 4,000, DeSio says) and that it was Ramirez who brought the gigantic banner that prominently features both Ramirez and Diaz, Jr. Clearly, Diaz, Jr. didn't object to the photo op. But for now, DeSio said he couldn't comment further.

In August of 2008, when Castro's predecessor, Luis Diaz, left his position and took a job with Gov. David Paterson, the Bronx Democratic County Committee passed over Ramirez, a long-time party loyalist, and chose Castro, a relative new face in Bronx politics, to fill the vacancy. Many, including Luis Diaz and Castro himself, were surprised by the decision made by then-Democratic County boss Jose Rivera.

In the end, Castro, a former registered Republican who moved to the Bronx from Washington Heights a few years ago, became the first Dominican assemblyman from the Bronx, not Ramirez. (For more on Castro, read this story from the Mount Hope Monitor.)

But now, with Rivera out and Assemblyman Carl Heastie running the County party, it looks like we could be in for a serious fight between Democratic rivals in the 86th.

22 comments:

With issues like shootings, fires, homeless, the Armory. I think the last thing on the BP's mind should be Hector Ramirez. Shame on him if it is. Do the job you were elected to do. Concern yourself with the shootings and fires that have hit our borough. The Armory. That is what should be on his mind.

Wowm so the BP jump on the Ramirez camp so early? He should not have done this.

Anything can happen and I a little bird told me that Castro and Ramirez will not be the only candidates in 2010. There's one person whose last name starts with an 'R' (besides Ramirez) who is positioning him/herself for a possible run. Neither Castro nor Ramirez should get too comfortable...I know why I say this...

FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW...NELSON CASTRO WAS CONVICTED FOR STEALING MONEY. HE CASHED UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS WHILE WORKING. HE WAS CHARGED WITH A FELONY AND PLEADED TO A MISDEMEANOR. NOT ONLY THAT HE WAS CONVICTED OF DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSCE. THIS GUY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ELECTED. Go Hector!

People can you at least let us get through the rest of the year without bashing one another. Leave it for July 2010. Give me a break. Hector give us a break to soon to start bashing. HAPPY THANKSGIVING. THANK GOD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS.

Hector has been distributing turkeys for the past six years...and now some people are blaming him for that....From what I read, he has not declared yet, so why is everybody so nervous. Relax, the campaign has not started yet, and wont start for a few months. Happy Holidays.

Hector Ramirez,has been working in this community for long time. Only the people (like Nelson Castro, who came recently from Washington Heights.), don't know Mr. Ramirez's contribution to our community. one proof of that,is the support gave to him by the BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Like Ruben Diaz Jr. Mr. Ramirez is also part of the coalition that is fighting in favor of the community residents, against the Related Co.(Armory's contractor).

Nelson Castro Profile: 1) Like Judas, for a few dollars he betrayed the Democratic Party in Washington Heights and formed the only Republican Club in W.H. (but by the contrary to Judas Castro is remorseless to his long delinquency sheet). 2)He betrayed the Republicans when Maria Baez (long time comrade of Miguel Martinez offered him the Assembly seat,and switched back to Democrat. (Mr. Castro is Mr. Miguel Martinez's cousin. Mr. Castro also was in charge of the agency that Mr. Martinez defaulted)(Mr. Martinez pushed hard to position Mr. Castro against Ramirez, because Mr. Martinez was believing that Ramirez was supporting by Adriano Espaillat).3)Nelson Castro is a convicted criminal, not only in NYS (Grand larceny, and because he cooperated with the court drooped to felony/misdemeanor)if not also in Michigan where he lived. 4) Mr. Castro has serious issues related to his children. 5) Mr. Castro faces prison due a Bronx District Attorney investigation for committed fraud, forgery,and...) 6)(will be revelead ahead)

PEOPLE JUST CAN'T RELAX AND LET THE YEAR END TO START BASHING. WE JUST ENDED ELECTIONS. AND HERE WE GO. HECTOR RAMIREZ AND HIS PEOPLE NEED TO CHILL. GIVE US A BREAK. FOR WHAT I HAVE HEARD NEITHER OF THESE GUYS ARE ANGELS. SO COME ON LETS AT LEAST WAIT TILL MAY OR JUNE BEFORE WE START WITH THE NAME CALLING AND NASTY TALK. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL. GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR BLESSING. STOP YOUR BASHING.

Ramirez has NEVER distributed turkeys (for the anonymous who said he has been doing this for the past 6 years), and if so, prove us wrong.

He's doing this now because he wants to (oops, sorry, he's running) for public office which I believe does not belong to him (and ultimately, the people of the district will decide this).

For those who don't know or have very short memories, Hector was part of Yudelka Tapia's team a few years back, where there were allegations of misuse of public funds and people getting paid and not even being part of the campaign. And guess who was signing off on those checks? You guessed it: HECTOR RAMIREZ WAS THE TREASURER OF YUDELKA'S campaign.

And of course, Castro is no saint either. He has his skeletons, some known others hidden and I agree, he should have never had that seat but the people spoke and it is what it is.

Hector Ramirez has one thing to his credit: that he kisses the behinds of others. Where was he for 5 years, when Jose Rivera was the Party Chair? WHERE? WHERE? WHERE? Oh, I know. He was in his tax preparation office on Davidson near the corner of Tremont Ave. RAMIREZ HAS DONE NOTHING FOR OUR COMMUNITY...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

And again, now that he's running for public office, he wants to (NEEDS TO) raise his profile so that people can think he has been doing anything for the community. Like many other elected officials from our borough, HECTOR RAMIREZ IS ANOTHER FAKE!

I'm surprised that the BNN even ran this article, although I understand they need to be fair and I respect that very much.

And for those who say he is not running, you're ill-informed. Check out part of the invite to his December 3rd fundraiser:

"Why is Honorable Hector Ramirez running for the State Assembly District 86? Because currently the district lack of effective experienced, compassionate, involved, transparent and hands on leadership. He will bring integrity, honesty and responsibility the people of our district need in Albany."

Mike Said...........Kenny Agosto he has no shame. It is not a secret that he is being used by his boss Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson to divide the latino vote. Just so that J.T. can maybe finally have a chance. SHAME ON HIM. SHAME SHAME SHAME.All for a job, I guess no one else will hire him. How DISGUSTING. SHAME SHAME SHAME

This is what we have come to, Castro vs Ramirez. I believe a thorough investigation should commence before permitting this race to continue. Mr. Nelson Castro should be questioned and examined, I guarantee you his connections with Miguel Martinez and Onix Sosa will arise questions to many, many people. Look in to it and see what I mean.

I have lived in the Bronx for 40 years and I do not know who Mr. Ramirez is and what he has done for Bronxites. He doesn't need to hand out turkeys that's what food stamps are for. The people are hungry but not for food, Jobs. He is out of touch with the entire community he only represents his own. Guess what this community is diverse. Do you have any help for African-Americans? Our votes do not count.

People open your eyes! Smear tactics are rear tactics meaning we are gonna get it there if we do not focus on issues that concern improving each and everyone in the community regardless of race. With this in mind let's race to the polls for a politicking politician, Nelson Castro. He is in touch with the community all year round not round election time only. Mr. Ramirez knocked on my door and when I asked who is he and what has he done for the community? His only response was that he was being supported by Ruben Diaz. So what I asked what has he done. Simply out of touch too late to get in touch.

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